Lindsey Graham’s legislation today reminds me of the partial-birth-abortion debate. We have to talk about what abortion is. On and around the Senate floor is one place to do so. Rick Santorum once stayed on the Senate floor talking about it, and we know of at least one life that was saved because he did.
Just noticing some of the reactions in my inbox and nodding:
“The science of fetal development, and what we know about a 15-week-old unborn baby, is vital in evaluating the bill Sen. Graham introduced today. Pregnancy websites describe “babies” who “work on breathing, sucking and swallowing motions … kicking, curling toes and moving those little arms and legs.” Limits on abortion at this stage of development are humane and common sense. We applaud Sen. Graham’s efforts to seek consensus in a post-Roe world and to protect as many babies and women as possible from the harms of abortion.” — Maureen Ferguson, senior fellow with The Catholic Association
“Limiting abortions after 15 weeks is the least we can do to protect women, as well as babies who at this stage are already fully formed in their mother’s womb and can feel pain. It is consistent with what we know from science about the harm of late abortion, as well as in line with where Americans stand on the issue. After all, 90% of Americans reject the view that abortion should be legal up until birth. Politicians voting against this bill will stand against science and against the American public. March for Life challenges all elected officials to come together to pass this compassionate bill and is grateful to Senator Graham for introducing it.” — Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life
The scare tactics in the weeks since Roe was overturned are making things worse — women as well as doctors are confused and frightened. Anything that can lovingly shed light on the truth of what happens in an abortion is necessary.
And even more important: What more are we doing to help women and girls know that we love them and will help them?